Horse-detaching device



' {Sheets-Sheet 1. J. A. COPELAND. Horse Detaohing Devi0e.-

No. 230,241. Patented July 20,1880.

INVENTOR w TNESSES I, W

ATTORNEY v N-PETERS, PHOTO-UTHOGRAEHER, WASHINGTON, D. C.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. A. COPELAND. Horse Detaohing Device;

No. 230,241. Patented July 20,1880.

/ vv NESSES I I EN'IOR ATTORNEE;

mPErERs, FHOTO LITHDGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D c.

I s Sheets-Sheet 3. J. A. UQPELA ND.

Horse Detaohing Device.

No. 230,241. Patented July 20,1880.

w: NESSES NVENTOR I I I ATTORNEY NITED STATES PATENT OFFIGE.

JOHN A. COPELAND, OF MOMINNVILLE, TENNESSEE.

HORSE-DETACHING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Fatent N0. 230,241, dated July 20, 1880.

Application filed J annary 14, 1880 horse-detaching devices, the object. being to provide whifl'letrees or single-trees with strong and durable attachments for securing the ends of the traces or trace-rin gs thereto, the devices to be of such construction that the traces may be readily disengaged from the singletree by a slight pull on a cord or strap located within easy reach of the driver; and to this end my invention consists in certain details of construction and combinations of parts, as will hereinafter be described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of my improvement in devices for detaching horses from vehicles, the parts be ing in position for retaining the chain-ring or metal cockeye in engagement with the opposite ends of the whittletrce. Fig. 2 is a similar view. showing the relative position of the different parts when the detaching devices have been actuated to disengage the ring. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view, in perspective, of one of the detaching devices. Figs. 4 and 5 are views of a modified form of construction embodying my invention.

A represents a whiffletree or single-tree, to the opposite ends of which are secured the shield-plates B, each being constructed as follows: 0n the inner end of the plate B are formed the two perforated lugs a a, Which serve as bearings for a pin or journal, 1), upon which is pivoted the rear end, 0, of the latchguard O, the rear end consisting of the flanges 0 0 formed at practically right angles to the main portion of the latch-guard, to retain the latter at one side of the whitfletree. The outer end of the shield-plate is provided with the flanges D l), which are of about the width of the end of the whiffietree, and between the ends of said flanges is pivoted the detachinghook E bythe pivotal boltc. Detaching-hook E is made with a hook, on its short end, while at its pivotal point it is made of sufiicient width to insure proper strength and durability; and its rear end, F, is made to extend a sufficient distance from its [)lVOtEll point, so that when the latch-guard O is closed the rear or long arm .of the detaching-hook will be inclosed within the flanges c c on the hinged latch-guard, and thus be prevented from displacement. A spring, G, is secured at one end to the whiffletree or shield-plate, while its free end iscurved and secured within the groove or elongated slot 9 in the shield-plate.

When the device is locked, as represented n Fig. 1, the bent end g of the pivoted or hinged detaching-hook bears against the under side of the latch-guard at It, or at one side of its piv otal bearing, and the. force of the spring Gr, pressing against the detaching-hook and tending to force it outward, serves to retain the free and bent end H of the latch-guard in contact with the onterend oi the detachinghook.

The outer end of the shield-plate B is provided with a bifurcated shield or keeper, I,consisting of the two bent arms it, which serve to retain the link, chain-ring, or metal cockeye K from swinging around out of position. When the parts are in their locked position, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the link or ring K is firmly secured on the short arm of the detaching-hook, and prevented from slipping off therefrom by the bent end or shield formed on the free end of the latch-guard, While the shield or keeper 1, in connection with the parts referred to, prevents the ring from swinging-around out of position.

0n the rear sides of the latch-guards are formed or secured the hooks j, to which cords j are attached, the opposite ends of the cords being attached to a single cord, which is placed within easy reach of the driver. Should occasion require the .instant release of the horse from the vehicle, it is readily accomplished by a slight pull on the cord, which operates to retract the latch-guards, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and releasing the inner ends-of thevpivoted detaching-hooks, thereby allowing the latter to freely swing around-on their pivots and the chain-rings to slip from their short engaging ends. This form and construction of device is specially adapted for use in connection with chain-rings or metal cockeyes, and may be employed on plows or on Vehicles of any description.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I representa modified form of construction embodying the principle of my invention, and especially adapted for employment in connection with the ordinary leather traces.

L is a clamp, consisting of the two half-sections 1 l, firmly secured to the whiffletree by means of the bolt or rivet l and rivet m, the latter serving as the pivot or journal for the rear end of the latch-guard M. Latch-guard M is provided on its inner end with the flanges or wings a n, for the reception of the end 0 of the long arm 0 of the pix'oted trace'detaching hook I which is pivoted between the legs p 12, located at the outer end of the Whittletree. A flat leaf-spring, Q, is secured at one end to the pin or rivet m, the opposite and free end supporting or pressing against the rear side or edge of the pivotal trace-detaching hook I. The outer end of the latch-guard is bent at practically right angles to its length to form a shield or guard, R, which prevents the displacement of the trace when the parts are in the position illustrated in Fig. 4. By

pulling on a cord, r, the latch guards are swung around rearwardly, allowing the detaching-hook P to swing around on its pivot, and thus enable the trace to be readily disengaged.

It is evident that slight changes in the form, construction, and arrangement of the several parts of my improvement might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my i11- vention, and hence I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact construction shown and described; but,

Having fully described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Thecombination, with a pivoted orhinged trace or ring detaching hook, of a latch-guard constructed and adapted to engage with the long arm of the detaching-hook and hold it,

against displacement, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a pivoted or hinged trace or ring detaching hook, of a latch-guard constructed and adapted to engage with the long arm of the detaching-hook, and a spring arranged to exert pressure against the detaching-hook, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a pivoted latchguard having a groove or slot formed in its rear end and a trace or ring guard on its outer or free end, of a pivoted or hinged ring or trace detaching hook formed with a short arm for the attachment of a ring or trace, and a long arm adapted to be retained within the slotted or grooved end of the latch-guard, substantially as set forth.

4. In a horsedetacher, the combination, with a pivoted or hinged trace or ring guard, of a pivoted or hinged detaching-hook, the parts adapted to be locked in place by folding the long arm of one upon the long arm of the other, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with a shield-plate provided with two curved arms at its outer end for retaining a ring, link, or cockeye against displacement, of pivoted or hinged latch-guard and detaching-hook, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination, with a shield-plate provided with perforated lugs and a pin or bolt journaled therein, of pivoted or hinged latchguard and detaching-hook, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with a shield-plate provided with perforated lugs on one end and perforated flanges or wings on its opposite end, of pivoted or hinged latch-guard and detaching-hook, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of December, 1879.

JOHN A. COPELAND.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM G. (JUMMINs, HENDERSON T. FUSTON. 

